LABOR >Turkish Airlines to rehire 305 ex-employees, says union head

Some 305 ex-employees of Turkish Airlines may return to their jobs after months.

The head of Turkey’s aviation union has announced it reached an agreement with Turkish Airlines (THY) that will enable 305 ex-employees to return to their jobs.

Ali Kemal Tatlıbal, the head of the aviation union, Hava-İş, said they had reached an agreement with THY, Turkey’s national carrier. The union started a strike on May 15 this year.

“The signatures are written. Everything will be good for us. We will rehire everyone,” said Tatlıbal referring to the 305 workers, who were dismissed when they protested against a proposed strike ban, but THY rejected the union’s proposals.

Tatlıbal, elected as the new chairman of the union at the general congress held 10 days ago, met with THY Chairman Hamdi Topçu late Dec. 19. After the meeting, it was announced that an agreement had been reached and the details would be announced later. THY had announced last June that it would not rehire the 305 workers who were laid off after participating in labor action to protest against a piece of draft legislation banning strikes and lockouts in the industry.